Multinozzle spraying apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to multinozzle spraying apparatus for spraying insecticides and the like. A plurality of spray nozzles having differing spray characteristics are provided attached to a multiport turret member. The turret member is rotatably secured to a hollow spindle having a hose connection on the rearward end and a seating surface on the forward end thereof for continuously engaging a seating surface formed in the turret member during the rotation of the turret member. The seating surface of the hollow spindle includes a flow port therein, and ports are provided in the seating surface of the turret member each communicated with a separate spray nozzle and positioned with respect to the spindle flow port so that rotation of the turret member brings the ports therein into selective registration with the spindle flow port. Means for indicating the pressure of fluid passing through the apparatus to a selected spray nozzle are provided as well as means for adding selected quantities of dye or other separate ingredient to the fluid.

0 United States Patent 1151 3,637,142 Gassaway [451 Jan. 25, 1972 4]MULTINOZZLE SPRAYING Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. APPARATUSAssistant Examiner-Thomas C. Culp, Jr.

Attorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin & Dougherty [72] Inventor: James E.Gassaway, Route 2, Chickasha,

Oklfl- 73018 57 ABSTRACT Filed: 1969 The present invention relates tomultinozzle spraying ap- [211 Appl No; 881,987 paratus for sprayinginsecticides and the like. A plurality of spray nozzles having differingspray characteristics are provided attached to a multiport turretmember. The turret [52] US. Cl ..239/394, 239/397 member is rotatabiysecured to a hollow spindle having a hose [51] Int. Cl ..A:62c 31/02connection on the rearward end and a seating surface on the [58] FieldOf Search ..239/390, 394, 397, 392, 71 forward end thereof forcontinuously engaging a eating guyface formed in the turret memberduring the rotation of the References Cited turret member. The seatingsurface of the hollow spindle includes a flow port therein, and portsare provided in the seat- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing surface of theturret member each communicated with a 3,112,885 12/1963 Bell et al..239/394 Separate p y nozzle and Positioned with respect to the p3176924 4/1965 Canavan 239/39O x dle flow port so that rotation of theturret member brings the 3,291,395 12/1966 Sharp l i t 239/394 X portstherein into selective registration with the spindle flow 3,377,0234/1963 Bmggeman "239/394 port. Means for indicating the pressure offluid passing 3,482,731 12/1969 Sharpe t "239/71 through the apparatusto a selected spray nozzle are provided 3,516,61 1 6/1970 Piggott..239/394 X as Well means for adding Selected quantities of dye or other2,132,333 10/1938 Wendell et a] ..239 394 Separate Ingredient to the 5Claims, 8 Drawing Figures MIIJLTINOZZLE SPRAYING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention relatesgenerally to multinozzle spraying apparatus, and more particularly, butnot by way of limitation, to multinozzle spraying apparatus wherein oneof a plurality of spray nozzles having differing spray characteristicsmay be selected.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many various spray nozzle apparatus forspraying insecticides and the like have been developed. The mostcommonly used of such apparatus include single spray nozzles, and inorder to change the spray angle or swath of the fluid or the volumebeing sprayed, the fluid flow to the apparatus must be stopped andnozzles having the desired spray characteristics manually installedthereon.

While multinozzle spray apparatus have been developed and usedheretofore, such apparatus generally require that the flow of fluidthereto be stopped prior to changing nozzles. Further, such apparatuscannot conveniently be used to throttle or adjust the flow rate of thefluid being sprayed or to shut off the flow of fluid altogether.

In spraying fluids such as insecticides it is often desirable to applythe fluid to the surface being sprayed at a particular rate. While spraynozzles are available which will deliver a known volume rate of fluid ata particular fluid pressure immediately upstream thereof, heretoforeused spraying apparatus have not included means for accuratelydetermining the fluid pressure immediately upstream of the nozzle beingused. Consequently, it has been necessary to more or less guess at thevolume rate of fluid being sprayed. Further, it is often desirable toadd small quantities of dye or other in gredient to the fluid beingsprayed without interrupting the flow of the fluid.

By the present invention, multinozzle apparatus for spraying fluids isprovided whereby the flow of fluid to the apparatus need not be stoppedin order to change nozzles, the volume of fluid being sprayed from aselected nozzle may be readily determined and adjusted, the flow offluid may be shut off altogether at the apparatus and desired quantitiesof dye or other ingredient may be selectively added to the fluid as itis continuously being sprayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a multinozzlespraying apparatus comprising a spindle having a fluid passagewaytherethrough and having a seating surface on the forward end and a hoseconnection on the rearward end thereof, the seating surface including aflow port therein communicated with said passageway. A turret member isrotatably secured on the forward portion of the spindle having amultiport seating surface formed therein for continuous sealingengagement during the rotation of said turret member with the seatingsurface of the spindle. The turret member includes a plurality of fluidpassages each extending from one of the ports in the multiport seatingsurface thereof to one of a plurality of threaded recesses disposed inthe external surface thereof. The ports in the turret member arepositioned with respect to the flow port in the spindle so that rotationof the turret member brings the ports therein into selectiveregistration with the flow port in the spindle. Means are provided formaintaining the seating surface of the spindle in mated engagement withthe multiport seating surface of the turret member, and a plurality ofspray nozzles each threadedly secured in one of the threaded recesses inthe valve member are provided.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide amultinozzle spraying apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of amultinozzle spraying apparatus whereby any one of a plurality of spraynozzles having differing spray characteristics may Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a multinozzle spray apparatus whereinthe flow of fluid through the apparatus may be conveniently shut offimmediately upstream of the nozzles thereby minimizing loss of fluidfrom the apparatus and related equipment.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multinozzlespraying apparatus wherein the volume of fluid being sprayed from aselected nozzle may readily be determined and adjusted to.a desiredlevel.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of amultinozzle spraying apparatus wherein selected quantities of a dye orother ingredient may be added to the fluid as it is continuously beingsprayed.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view of the apparatus ofthe present invention being used to spray a surface.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one form of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a front end view of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged sectional view of the turret member of thepresent invention taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the seating surface of the spindle of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternate form of the presentinvention including means for adding a separate ingredient to the fluidbeing sprayed, and

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring particularly to FIGS2 and 3, the apparatus of the present invention is generally designatedby the numeral 10. The apparatus It) basically comprises ahead or turretmember 12 having a plurality of spray nozzles R4 of differing spraycharacteristics threadedly secured in recesses positioned around theperiphery thereof. The turret member 12 is rotatably secured on aspindle (not shown), and the spindle is secured to a member 16 having ahose connection on the rearward end thereof. A conventional fitting 18having a hose 20 connected thereto is threadedly secured in the hoseconnection. A pressure indicator 22 is attached to the forward end ofthe turret member 12.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4', the apparatus 10 is illustratedin cross section. The apparatus 10 basically comprises an elongatedhollow spindle 24 having a threaded rearward end 28. A member 16, whichincludes a hose connection 17 in the rearward end thereof, is threadedlysecured on the rearward end 28 of the spindle 24. The spindle 24includes a seating surface 34 on the forward end v36 thereof. Theseating surface 34 is of a frustoconical shape, and an annular shoulder38 positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle 24 isprovided at the rearward end of the seating surface 34. The spindle 24includes a fluid passageway 40 extending from the rearward end 28thereof to a point near the forward end 36 thereof. As best seen in FIG.6, a flow port 42 is provided in the seating surface 34 which iscommunicated with the fluid passageway 40 by a passage 44.

A cylindrical sleeve member 46 is slidably disposed over the middleportion 48 of the spindle 24 having a forward outsidethreaded portion50. The rearward portion 52 of the sleeve member 46 is formed in theshape of a hexagon.

The turret member 12 includes a threaded bore 54 in the rearward end 56thereof threadedly connected to the forward threaded portion 50 of thesleeve member 46. The bore 54 includes a multiport seating surface 58formed in the forward end 80 thereof. The seating surface 58 is formedin a frustoconical shape for continuous sealing engagement with theseating surface 34 of the spindle 24 during rotation of the turretmember 12.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, a plurality of ports 60 are disposedin the seating surface 58 of the turret member 12 positioned in spacedrelation to each other in a plane perpendicular to the axis of turretmember 12. The turret member 12 includes a plurality of threadedrecesses 62 (FIG. 4) disposed in the external surface 64 thereof, eachof which is connected to one of the ports 60 in the seating surface 58by a separate fluid passage 66. As will be understood, the ports 60 inthe seating surface 58 of the turret member 12 are positioned withrespect to the flow port 42 of the spindle 24 so that rotation of theturret member 12 about its axis brings the ports 60 into selectiveregistration with the flow port 42. A conventional spray nozzle 14 isthreadedly secured in each of the threaded recesses 62 of the turretmember 12.

A liner 68 of frustoconical shape is positioned between the seatingsurface 34 of the spindle 24 and the seating surface 58 of the turretmember 12. The liner 68 is preferably bonded to the seating surface 58and includes a plurality of openings 70 therein coinciding with theports 60 in the seating surface 58. A bearing member 72 is disposedbetween the forward end 74 of the sleeve member 46 and the annularshoulder 38 of the spindle 24. The liner 68 and bearing member 72 arepreferably formed of a plastic material which is self-lubricating suchas polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).

The turret member 12 includes a threaded recess 76 disposed in theforward end thereof. A passageway 78 is I disposed within the turretmember 12 connecting the recess 76 with the forward end 80 of the bore54.

The seating surface 34 of the spindle 24 includes a second port 82therein. The port 82 is positioned on a line passing through the centerof the port 42 which intersects a line passing through the axis of thespindle 24. A pressure passage 84 connects the port 82 with a bore 86disposed in the forward end 36 of the spindle 24 positioned on a linecoinciding with the axis of the spindle 24. The seating surface 58 ofthe turret member 12 includes a second plurality of ports 88 equal innumber to the ports 60 previously described, Each of the ports 88 ispositioned on a line passing through the center of a port 60 whichintersects with a line coinciding with the axis of the turret member 12.A plurality of pressure passages 90 each connects one of the ports 88with one of the fluid passages 66. As will be understood, the ports 88are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the turret member12, and are positioned with respect to the port 82 so that rotation ofthe turret member 12 brings the ports 88 into registration with the port82. As best seen in FIG. 6, the port 82 in the seating surface 34 of thespindle 24 is formed in the shape of an ellipse with the longest axisthereof lying in a plane perpendicular as to the axis of the spindle 24.

ASSEMBLY OF THE APPARATUS 10 Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-4, theapparatus 10 is assembled by first positioning the bearing member 72 onthe spindle 24 adjacent to the annular shoulder 38 thereof. Thecylindrical sleeve member 46 is then positioned on the middle portion 48of the spindle 24 with the forward end 74 thereof adjacent to thebearing member 72. The turret member 12 is threadedly secured on thesleeve member 46 and tightened to the point where the seating surface 34of the spindle 24 is brought into mated engagement with the insidesurface of the liner 68 bonded to the seating surface 58. The sleevemember 46 may be tightened with a wrench fitted over the hexagonalrearward portion 52 thereof. The sleeve member 46 is tightened enough toprevent leakage of fluid between the turret member l2 and the spindle24, but is allowed to remain loose enough so that the turret member 12and sleeve 46 may be rotated on the spindle 24.

The spray nozzles 14 are threadedly secured in the threaded recesses 62of the turret member 24 and the pressure indicator 22 is threadedlysecured in the recess 76. The handle and base connection member 16 isthreadedly secured on the rearward end 28 of the spindle 24, and a lockscrew 92 disposed in a threaded bore 94 in the member 16 is tightenedagainst the spindle 24. The fitting 18 having the hose 20 attachedthereto is threadedly secured in the hose connection 17 of the member16.

OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS 10 Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the hose20 attached to the apparatus 10 is attached to a conventional fluid pump96 which is in turn attached to a tank 98 containing a reservoir of thefluid to be sprayed. The pump 96 and tank 98 may be mounted on wheels orother movable apparatus so that they may be conveniently moved fromplace to place,

In using the apparatus 10 for spraying a fluid such as a pesticide on asurface, the apparatus 10 is grasped by the member 16 (FIG. 2) and theturret member 12 is rotated to bring the flow port 42 of the spindle 24into registration with one of the ports 60 of the turret member 12. Anarrow100 (FIG. 2) is engraved on the member 16 positioned in alignmentwith the flow port 42 of the spindle 24. A set of indicator marks 102each of which is positioned in alignment with one of the spray nozzles14 and ports 60, are engraved on the turret member 12 positioned so thatwhen the arrow 100 is at a point adjacent thereto, the flow port 42 ofthe spindle 24 is positioned in registration with one of the ports 60.Thus, the operator of the apparatus 10 may select one of the spraynozzles 14 having desired spray characteristics by positioning theappropriate indicator mark 102 adjacent to the arrow 100 on the member16.

The pump 96 causes the fluid to be sprayed to pass through the hose 20into the fluid passageway 40 of the spindle 24. Referring particularlyto FIG. 4, the fluid passing into the passageway 40 passes through thepassage 44 and through the flow port 42. When the flow port 42 of thespindle 24 is positioned in registration-with one of the ports 60 of theturret member 12, the fluid to be sprayed passes into the passage 66 andout of the apparatus 10 through the selected spray nozzle 14. As will beunderstood, when it is desired to change the spray nozzle 14 in order tochange the swath or volume rate of the fluid being sprayed, the turretmember 12 may be rotated to bring the flow port 42 of the spindle 24into registration with another of the ports 60 without shutting off thepump 96 or flow of fluid to the apparatus 10. As will be furtherunderstood, if it is desired to shut off the flow of fluid beingsprayed, the turret member 12 may be rotated to a position wherein theflow port 42 of the spindle 24 is positioned between any two of theports 60. It should be noted that the ports 60 of the turret member 12are positioned so that the distance between any two of the ports 60 isgreater than the diameter of the flow port 42. Thus, when the flow port42 is positioned between two of the ports 60 the flow of fluid is shutoff and contained within the passageway 40 and passage 44 of the spindle24.

Each of the spray nozzles 14 is of a conventional type and designwhereby if the fluid pressure immediately upstream of the nozzle isknown the volume rate of the fluid passing through the nozzle may bedetermined. Generally, such spray nozzles are rated for a specificvolume rate when operated at an upstream pressure of 40 p.s.i.g.However, tables are availa ble which indicate the volume rate of thefluid being sprayed for pressures lower or higher than 40 pounds. Inoperation of the apparatus 10, the fluid pressure in the fluid passage66 of the turret member 12 through which the fluid being sprayed isflowing is communicated through the pressure passages 90, 84 and 86 tothe pressure passages 78 and the pressure gauge 22. The port 82 in thespindle 24 is enlarged so that if the port 42 thereof is out ofalignment with one of the ports 60 of the turret member 12 the fluidpressure in the passage 66 will still be communicated with the pressuregauge 22. Thus, the pressure of the fluid being sprayed immediatelyupstream of the selected nozzle is indicated by the pressure gauge 22.

To adjust the volume rate of fluid being sprayed from a selected spraynozzle 14 to a desired volume rate, the operator of the apparatus 111,knowing the nozzle upstream pressure corresponding to the desired volumerate, may adjust the fluid pressure upstream of the nozzle by rotatingthe turret member 12 a small amount in either direction. The smallamount of rotation causes the port 611 of the turret member 12 to bemoved out of alignment with the flow port 42 of the spindle 24 therebyrestricting the flow of fluid into the passage 66. For example, assumingthat the pump 96 is of a size and capacity to maintain a fluid pressureon the apparatus of lOO p.s.i.g., and a flow rate is desiredcorresponding to a pressure upstream of the selected nozzle of 40p.s.i.g., the valve member 12 may be rotated thereby throttling thefluid passing through the port 611 until a pressure of 40 pounds isindicated on the gauge 22. if it is desirable to then increase the flowrate of fluid passing through the selected nozzle 14, the operator ofthe apparatus 111 may increase the nozzle upstream pressure by rotatingthe valve member 12 in the opposite direction until the desired upstreampressure is indicated on the gauge 22. Thus, the apparatus 11) may beused to conveniently control the swath or spray angle of the fluid beingsprayed as well as the volume rate of the fluid being sprayed withoutthe necessity of stopping the pump 96 or changing the fluid output ofthe pump 96. As described above, the apparatus 10 may also be used toshut off the flow of fluid altogether without the necessity of shuttingoff the pump 911.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the apparatus 10 is illustrated with anassembly 110 for selectively adding a separate ingredient to the fluidbeing sprayed attached thereto. As will be understood, when the assembly1111 is used, the member 16 is removed from the threaded end 28 of thespindle 24 and the assembly 110 is attached thereto. The assembly 110basically comprises a cylindrical body member 112 having a threadedrecess 114 in the forward end 116 thereof and a hose connection 118 inthe rearward endl thereof connected by a fluid passageway 122. Themiddle portion 124 of the fluid passageway 122 is of a reduced diameteras compared to the ends thereof. It should be noted that the middleportion 124 of the fluid passageway 122 may be made adjustable, such asby the use of a thumbscrew or other means, so that the effectivediameter thereof may be selectively varied.

A fluid container assembly generally designated by the numeral 126 isthreadedly secured in a threaded bore 128 disposed in the body member112. The container assembly 126 comprises a closed container 130 havinga removable top 132. The top 132 includes a threaded upper portion 134which is threadedly secured in the bore 128 of the body member 112. Apassage 136 is disposed in the top 132 extending from inside thecontainer 130 to the upper end of the upper portion 134 thereof. Apassage 138 is disposed in the body member 112 extending from therearward portion 140 of the passageway 122 to a threaded recess 142 inthe body member 112. A threaded fitting 144 is secured in the recess142, and a length of flexible hose 146 is attached to the fitting 144.The other end of the hose 146 is attached to a connection 148 disposedin the bottom of the container 130. A free-floating piston 150 isdisposed within the container 130 having a pair of conventional O-rings152 disposed around the periphery thereof for sealing against the insidesurface of the container 1311.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 8, a passage 154 disposed in the bodymember 112 connects the threaded bore 128 to a threaded bore 156disposed therein. A passage 158 connects the threaded bore 156 to theforward portion 1611 of the passageway 122. A thumbscrew 162 is disposedin the threaded bore 156 having a seating surface 164 for mating withthe bottom portion 166 of the threaded bore 156.

OPERATION OF THE ASSEMBLY Referring still to FlGS. 7 and b, the lowerportion of the container is removed from the top 132 thereof, and thepiston 1511 moved to the bottom of the container 150. A quantity of dyeor other ingredient is placed in the container 130 above the piston 150and the container 130 is again attached to the top 132. As the fluidbeing sprayed by the apparatus 10 passes through the middle portion1 24of the passageway 122 of the member 112, its pressure is reduced. Thatis, the pressure of the fluid in the rearward portion of the passageway122 is greater than the pressure of the fluid in the forward portion 160of the passageway 122 due to friction loss caused by the reduceddiameter of middle portion 124 of the passageway 122. When it is desiredto add a portion of the fluid contained in the container 130 to thefluid being sprayed by the apparatus 10, the thumbscrew 162 is loosenedthereby allowing the threaded bore 123 of the member 112 to becommunicated with the forward portion 160 of the passageway 122 via thepassages 154 and 158. As will be understood, the pressure differentialbetween the rearward portion 140 and forward portion 160 of thepassageway 122 causes a fluid pressure to be transmitted through thepassage 133 of the member 112, through the hose 146 and into thecontainer 130 below the piston which is greater than the pressure abovethe piston 150. The piston 150 is moved upwardly by the greater fluidpressure on its lower side thereby forcing the dye or other ingredientcontained in the container 130 above the piston 150 through the passage136 in the upper portion 132 of the container 130, through the passages154 and 158 of the member 112 and into the forward portion of thepassageway 122. Thus, by opening and closing the thumbscrew 162,selected quantities of the dye or other ingredient contained within thecontainer 130 may be added to the fluid being sprayed from the apparatus10.

In use of the apparatus 10 in combination with the assembly 110 forspraying pesticides, a dye may be selectively added to the pesticidewhile it is continuously being sprayed. The addition of quantities ofdye allows the operator to distinguish sprayed areas from unsprayedareas. If desirable, the assembly 110 may be used to selectively add anadditional pesticide or other ingredient to the pesticide while it iscontinuously being sprayed.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as thoseinherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the inventionare given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the detailsof construction and arrangement of parts can be made which will readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassedwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A multinozzle spraying apparatus comprising:

a spindle having a fluid passageway therethrough and having a seatingsurface on the forward end thereof and a hose connection on the rearwardend thereof, said seating surface including a flow port thereincommunicating with said passageway;

a turret member rotatably secured on the forward portion of said spindlehaving a multiport seating surface formed therein for matingly engagingthe seating surface of said spindle and including a plurality of fluidpassages each extending from one of the ports in said multiport seatingsurface to one of a plurality of threaded recesses disposed in theexternal surface thereof, said ports in said turret member being spacedapart from each other and positioned with respect to the flow port insaid spindle so that the turret member may be rotated to bring the portstherein into selective registration with the flow port in said spindleor to shut off flow therethrough;

means for indicating the pressure of the fluid flowing through any oneof said fluid passages in said turret member comprising:

a threaded recess disposed in said turret member;

a pressure passage disposed in said turret member communicating saidthreaded recess with the forward end of said spindle;

said spindle including a second port in the seating surface thereofconnected to the forward end thereof by a pressure passage; l0

said turret member including a second plurality of ports in the seatingsurface thereof, each communicated with one of said fluid passagewaystherein by a pressure passage, said second ports in said turret memberbeing positioned with respect to the second port in said spindle so that1 when said flow port in said spindle is aligned with a port in saidturret member, one of said second ports in said turret member is alignedwith said second port in said spindle; and

a pressure indicator threadedly secured in said threaded 2 recess;

means for maintaining the seating surface of said spindle in matedengagement with the multiport seating surface of said turret memberattached to said turret member and to said spindle; and

a plurality of spray nozzles having different spray characteristics eachthreadedly secured in one of said threaded recess in said turret member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining theseating surface of said spindle in mated engagement with the multiportseating surface of said turret member comprises:

said spindle including an outwardly extending annular shoulderpositioned near the forward end thereof ina plane perpendicular to theaxis thereof;

a cylindrical sleeve rotatably secured on said spindle with the forwardend thereof positioned adjacent to said shoulder and threadedly attachedto said turret member so that movement of said sleeve in a forwarddirection tightens the seating surface of said spindle against theseating surface of said turret member.

' 3. The apparatus of claim 2, which is further characterized to includea bearing member of frustoconical shape formed of self-lubricatingmaterial positioned between the seating surface of said turret memberand the seating surface of said spindie.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, which is further characterized to include abearing member formed of a self-lubricating material positioned betweensaid annular shoulder of said spindle and the forward end of saidcylindrical sleeve.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, which is further characterized to includemeans for injecting selected quantities of a separate fluid into thefluid passing through said spindle fluid passageway attached to saidspindle.

1. A multinozzle spraying apparatus comprising: a spindle having a fluidpassageway therethrough and having a seating surface on the forward endthereof and a hose connection on the rearward end thereof, said seatingsurface including a flow port therein communicating with saidpassageway; a turret member rotatably secured on the forward portion ofsaid spindle having a multiport seating surface formed therein formatingly engaging the seating surface of said spindle and including aplurality of fluid passages each extending from one of the ports in saidmultiport seating surface to one of a plurality of threaded recessesdisposed in the external surface thereof, said ports in said turretmember being spaced apart from each other and positioned with respect tothe flow port in said spindle so that the turret member may be rotatedto bring the ports therein into selective registration with the flowport in said spindle or to shut off flow therethrough; means forindicating the pressure of the fluid flowing through any one of saidfluid passages in said turret member comprising: a threaded recessdisposed in said turret member; a pressure passage disposed in saidturret member communicating said threaded recess with the forward end ofsaid spindle; said spindle including a second port in the seatingsurface thereof connected to the forward end thereof by a pressurepassage; said turret member including a second plurality of ports in theseating surface thereof, each communicated with one of said fluidpassageways therein by a pressure passage, said second ports in saidturret member being positioned with respect to the second port in saidspindle so that when said flow port in said spindle is aligned with aport in said turret member, one of said second ports in said turretmember is aligned with said second port in said spindle; and a pressureindicator threadedly secured in said threaded recess; means formaintaining the seating surface of said spindle in mated engagement withthe multiport seating surface of said turret member attached to saidturret member and to said spindle; and a plurality of spray nozzleshaving different spray characteristics each threadedly secured in one ofsaid threaded recesses in said turret member.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the means for maintaining the seating surface of said spindlein mated engagement with the multiport seating surface of said turretmember comprises: said spindle including an outwardly extending annularshoulder positioned near the forward end thereof in a planeperpendicular to the axis thereof; a cylindrical sleeve rotatablysecured on said spindle with the forward end thereof positioned adjacentto said shoulder and threadedly attached to said turret member so thatmovement of said sleeve in a forward direction tightens the seatingsurface of said spindle against the seating surface of said turretmember.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, which is further characterized toinclude a bearing member of frustoconical shApe formed ofself-lubricating material positioned between the seating surface of saidturret member and the seating surface of said spindle.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, which is further characterized to include a bearing memberformed of a self-lubricating material positioned between said annularshoulder of said spindle and the forward end of said cylindrical sleeve.5. The apparatus of claim 4, which is further characterized to includemeans for injecting selected quantities of a separate fluid into thefluid passing through said spindle fluid passageway attached to saidspindle.